B-52 bomber excluded from drills after North Korea complains

The B-52 strategic bomber and eight F-22 Raptors will not be deployed during drills in South Korea. File Photo by Edgar Dominguez/EPA

May 16 (UPI) -- Joint exercises between the United States and South Korea will move forward but the B-52 strategic bomber and eight F-22 Raptors will not be deployed during drills.

The decision to downscale the drills was reached between U.S. Forces Korea Commander Vincent Brooks and South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo Wednesday, after North Korea criticized the joint exercise Max Thunder being held in the South, News 1 reported.

Pyongyang's criticism of the United States and South Korea came as a surprise to the South Korean military.

Song canceled all official activities on Wednesday to hold emergency meetings with Brooks and relevant ministries in response to the North's KCNA statement.